How to Find a Relative That Was Evacuated in Hurricane Ike

The third-costliest hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, Hurricane Ike occurred in September 2008. The hurricane resulted in over 103 deaths and at its peak was classified as a Category 4 hurricane. In Florida alone, nearly 15,000 tourists were evacuated as a result of the hurricane. In the hurricane's wake, major relief organizations, including the American Red Cross, established shelters and missing persons directories to help victims and their families. Online directories are typically the easiest way to locate missing relatives.

Instructions

• 1

  Check the Red Cross' Safe and Well Directory. This directory is not specifically for Hurricane Ike evacuees, but includes anyone who has been the victim of a disaster and wants to inform their family of their whereabouts. Many Ike evacuees used the directory following their evacuation.

• 2

  Check the Facebook "Hurricane Ike Evacuees" group. With over 500 members, this group serves as a small community of people who were evacuated following Hurricane Ike. Facebook allows you to message them and potentially get in touch with a relative, if they have joined the group.

• 3

  Contact FEMA. FEMA typically activates a National Emergency Family Registry System following natural disasters and may have information on the whereabouts of your family even though the system is not currently activated. FEMA's Disaster Assistance line can be reached at 800-621-3362.